Waste outlet device

ABSTRACT

A waste outlet device adopted for use with a urinal and comprising one-way valve means is disclosed.

[0001] This invention relates to urinals of a type commonly found inmen's lavatories. More specifically, this invention relates to a wasteoutlet device for a urinal.

[0002] Currently used urinal systems can be divided into two maincategories. A first type, in which the receptacle is cleansed by acontinuous stream of running water into a wall mounted cistern,containing a symphonic action flush apparatus, and a second type, inwhich the supply of water into the cistern is intermittent andcontrolled using, for example, via an electrically operated timing orpassive infra red sensors in a solenoid valve fitted into theappropriate water supply pipe. Both types can be expensive andinefficient.

[0003] All urinal bowls use conventional water seal traps to preventfoul sewer gases entering washroom areas and also frequently usedeodorising means to reduce unpleasant odours from waste pipes orchannels. The odours are significantly worsened by the products ofchemical reactions between water and urine leading to the solidificationof salts found in urine which, together with limescale, accumulate intraps creating further problems of odours and blockages.

[0004] The present invention seeks to provide an improved urinal wasteoutlet device.

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a urinal waste outlet device equipped with a one-way valve.

[0006] A suitable one-way valve comprises means for blocking the passageof gas in an upstream direction and means of allowing the passage ofwaste fluid in a downstream direction, the device being operable totemporarily unblock the waste pipe in the presence of waste fluid bymeans of an automatic reversible deformation. Preferably, the automaticreversible unblocking action occurs by a transformation of its shapefrom a closed to an open configuration and back.

[0007] Preferably, the waste outlet device including the one-way valveelement is fitted into the urinal bowl or trough and is connected to thefoul drain via the waste pipe.

[0008] Such an arrangement operates without the need for a constant orintermittent cleansing or flushing water supply. Because the waste pipeis ordinarily sealed from the foul drain, there is no need forconventional water seal traps or deodorising means. The device ispreferably connected within the urinal bowl at the head of the wastepipe system position of the device and the means by which it isconnected ensures that it is easily accessible from above the bowl forcleaning, maintaining, and replacing whole or part of the device.

[0009] The waste outlet device preferably also includes a device forreducing spattering and a perfumed or deodorising element.

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention is described below, by wayof example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a side view of a urinal system incorporating aconventional waste outlet arrangement;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a side view of a urinal system incorporating a preferredwaste outlet device;

[0013]FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of a preferred waste outletdevice;

[0014]FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the wasteoutlet device of FIG. 3;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the waste outlet deviceof FIG. 3 in an assembled state; and

[0016]FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of retaining member 18.

[0017] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the main components of apreferred waste outlet device are a sheath 10, a one-way valve element12, a fragrance unit 14, an anti-spatter shield 16 and a retainingmember 18.

[0018] Sheath 10 can be made of a moulded plastics material. It is arigid cylindrical tube which is generally circular in plan view. Aportion of the external wall 20 is threaded. An extended protruberanceforms a circular lip 22 at the periphery of its upper extremity.Internally, an extended circular protrusion of the wall forms a rigidcollar 24. Towards the upper extremity, a shallow groove 26 with ahorizontal upper surface 27, runs around the inside of the sheath.

[0019] One-way valve element 12, in this example made of an elastomericsubstance, generally adopts a flattened frustoconical shape. This is tosay, the upper portion 28 is formed in a substantially rigid annularshape, while the lower portion 26 is flattened so that a seal is madebetween abutting walls indicated at 32.

[0020] Retaining member 18 can be made of any suitable material. It isformed in the shape of a ring 34 having inner 41 and outer 45 walls. Inthis example, there are three resiliently sprung arms 36 which areequally spaced around the circumference and project inwards and thedownwards from the ring 34. Each arm 36 has a catch 40 and is formedwith a flat 42 on the bottom surface. A number of upwardly protrudingcatches 38 are also formed on the outer wall 45 of the main ring 34.

[0021] Fragrance unit 14 is perforated and contains a perfume, which istypically, but not necessarily, either a liquid or a gel substance.Fragrance unit 14 need not be rigid or of any particular shape.

[0022] Anti-spatter cover 16 is shown as a rigid dome-shaped element. Itis preferably chrome plated ABS plastic and has recesses 44 disposed atintervals around the bottom of the inner walls.

[0023] With reference to FIG. 5, the assembled waste outlet device isshown with one-way valve element 12 inserted into sheath 10 so that theunderside of annular portion 28 rests on collar 24. Retaining member 18is positioned with the flats 42 of respective arms 36 abutting the uppersurface 48 of one-way valve element 12, and thereby holds element 12firmly in place. The catches 40 engage groove 26 and the horizontalupper surface 27 of the groove provides resistance to upward movement ofthe retaining member 18 and one-way valve element 12. The fragrance unit14 is supported by the inwardly projecting horizontal portions 52 ofrespective arms 36. The anti-spatter cover 16 is positioned over thefragrance unit 14 and the catches 38 on the upper portion of theretainer member engage the recesses 44 on the inner walls 46 of thecover 16.

[0024] In use, the threaded portion 20 is used to connect waste outletdevice 100 substantially within the urine receptacle at the head of thewaste pipe system. Typically, an internal portion of the waste outletpipe adjoining the urinal from below is adapted to receive the threadedouter portion 20 of sheath 10. Referring to FIG. 2, the anti-spattercover 16 can be seen (broken lines) protruding upwards into the urinalbowl.

[0025] When urine enters the bowl, it runs off the bowl walls and theanti-spatter cover 16, through an annular gap 50 (see FIG. 5) and overthe lip 22 of sheath 10.

[0026] Before urine enters one-way valve element 12, the element is inthe closed state (a flattened frusto-conical shape with abutting wallsat 32 sealing the waste pipe from the urine receptacle), therebypreventing malodorous gases from leaking in an upstream direction. Asurine enters, the shape of one-way valve element 12 undergoes atemporary deformation. During the deformation process, the shape ofelement 12 tends away from the flattened frusto-conical form and towardsa more cylindrical form in which abutting walls at 32 become parted. Inthis condition, the seal is broken and the urine flows into the wastepipe. Once all the urine has passed through the waste outlet device,element 12 returns to a flattened frustoconical shape, therebyre-establishing the seal between abutting walls 32.

[0027] A preferred waste outlet device permits a substantially waterlessurinal system. For example, water is not necessary to maintain a minimumwater level in a trap nor to wash/flush the bowl and waste pipe system,either continuously or intermittently. Thus vast quantities of water canbe saved. Cleansing and maintenance operations are required onlyoccasionally and all components of the waste outlet device areaccessible from above the urinal bowl. The underside of the urinal bowlis free from the encumbrance of bulky fittings.

[0028] Malodourous gases are confined within the waste pipe networkwithout the need for conventional U-bends, bottles or P-type traps. Useof the one way valve element obviates the need for each urinal wastepipe to have an air vent (vent pipe) as the system does not rely onwaste seal traps and, therefore, is not effected by pressure variationin the waste pipe and problems associated with, leakage, compression,capillary action, wavering out, evaporation, momentum induced siphonageor self siphonage.

[0029] The components are simple and robust. Retainer member 18 can bereleased at catches 38, to permit removal of anti-spatter cover 16, forexample to replace or maintain the fragrance unit 14. Alternatively,retainer 18 can be released at catches 40, to facilitate replacement ormaintenance of the one-way valve element 12.

[0030] The device can be produced in any desirable size, for example tocomply with 1.25 inch (32 mm) or 1.5 inch (40 mm) standard fittings orwith any desirable connection means to enable use with different urinereceptacle types, such as troughs and slabs. According to a modifiedversion of the device, the upper portion of the waste pipe systemprovides the internal features of sheath 10, with element 12 beingseated directly therein.

[0031] Other modified versions of the waste outlet device may havedifferent assembly configurations such as catch types. For example, withreference to FIG. 6, retaining member 18 can be in the form of anannular disk member having an upper surface 35 and a central openingwhich is slightly smaller in diameter than the base dimension of thefragrance unit 14. The resiliantly sprung arms 36′ protrude directlyfrom the inner portion 60 of the disk, whereas catches 38′ are cut fromouter wall 45′. This modified retainer member supports the fragranceunit 14 on the upper surface 35 of the annular disk member. In otherrespects it is similar to the corresponding member described earlier.

[0032] Instead of recesses 44, the antispatter cover 16 can be providedwith a continuous annular groove circumscribing the inside of its domeat an appropriate level. Latches 38 engage portions around the annulargroove in the same way as described for the recesses 44.

[0033] Although not strictly necessary, purpose built tools can beprovided to assist in the removal of the various components forcleaning, maintenance or replacement.

[0034] A bayonet-type locking mechanism may be preferred to catch types38 and 40. The various component parts may push fit into theirrespective positions to be held in place by gravity, or screw or beattached by any other suitable means

[0035] It would also be possible to produce and supply the retainer 18,fragrance unit 14 and/or anti-spatter cover 16 as a single integralreplacement unit.

[0036] To minimise unpleasant smells from the waste pipe system, it isgenerally preferred to connect the waste outlet device as far upstreamas possible. That is not to say that one or more modified versions ofthe device cannot also be inserted at intervals downstream.

We claim:
 1. A waste outlet device for use in conjunction with a urinalbowl operable without the addition of water, said waste outlet devicecomprising a one-way valve, wherein said one-way valve is readilyremovable from within the urinal bowl, and wherein said one-way valve isnormally closed but opens upon the introduction of liquid into theurinal bowl so as not to trap liquid in the device.
 2. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the one-way valve is connected to theurinal bowl in a position upstream of a waste pipe system.
 3. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the one-way valve is openable to allow thepassage of waste fluid from the urinal bowl and closeable to block thepassage of gas in an upstream direction.
 4. A device according to claim1, wherein said one-way valve opens by means of an automatic reversibledeformation in shape.
 5. A device according to claim 1, comprising asheath member for housing the one-way valve and connectable at an outerportion thereof with the head of a waste pipe system.
 6. A deviceaccording to claim 5, further comprising a releasable retaining memberfor retaining the one-way valve in place inside the sheath member.
 7. Adevice according to claim 6, further comprising an anti-spatter member.8. A device according to claim 5, further comprising one of a perfumedelement and deodorizing element.
 9. A device according to claim 8,wherein said one of a perfumed and deodorizing element is housedsubstantially within the anti-spatter member.
 10. A urinal operablewithout the addition of water, the urinal comprising: (a) a urinal bowl;and (b) a waste outlet device comprising a one-way valve, wherein saidone-way valve is readily removable from within the urinal bowl, andwherein said one-way valve is normally closed but opens upon theintroduction of liquid into said urinal bowl so as not to trap liquid inthe urinal.
 11. A urinal according to claim 10, wherein the one-wayvalve is connected to a bowl of the urinal in a position upstream of awaste pipe system.
 12. A urinal according to claim 10, wherein theone-way valve is openable to allow the passage of waste fluid from theurinal bowl and closeable to block the passage of gas in an upstreamdirection.
 13. A urinal according to claim 10, wherein said one-wayvalve opens by means of an automatic reversible deformation in shape.14. A urinal according to claim 10, comprising a sheath member forhousing the one-way valve and connect able at an outer portion thereofwith the head of a waste pipe system.
 15. A urinal according to claim14, further comprising a releasable retaining member for retaining theone-way valve in place inside the sheath member.
 16. A urinal accordingto claim 15, further comprising an anti-spatter member.
 17. A urinalaccording to claim 14, further comprising one of a perfumed element anda deodorizing element.
 18. A urinal according to claim 17, wherein saidone of a perfumed element and deodorizing element is housedsubstantially within the anti-spatter member.